Technologies

Gas extinguishing systems

MX 200 Fire Extinguishing Systems

Fighting Fire using HFC-227ea
fire protection Efficient and compact

MX 200 fire extinguishing systems fight fires using HFC-227ea. This extinguishing
agent is particularly suitable for the protection of spaces with electronic and
electrical equipment and offers an economical fire protection solution especially
for small and medium-sized rooms. The 50-bar technology of the MX 200 system
makes optimal use of the characteristics of this extinguishing agent.

The HFC-227ea extinguishing agent reduces the
heat of the fire and thus stops the combustion
reaction. It is very efficient yet unaggressive at
the same time. The extinguishing agent is stored
as a liquid, it transforms into a gas only when it
exits from the extinguishing nozzles. It therefore
extinguishes, as a rule, even concealed fire
sources instantaneously.
The rapid extinguishing of a fire already in the
nascent phase minimizes the fire damage and
prevents long downtimes or business interruptions.
Therefore, HFC-227ea is neither corrosive nor
electrically conductive, leaves no residue and
can easily be removed from the space concerned
through ventilation. HFC-227ea is, besides inert
gases, the preferred extinguishing agent for
electronic and electrical risks.
HFC-227ea fire extinguishing systems already
achieve their extinguishing effect at a substan-
tially lower design concentration than that of
inert gas extinguishing systems. This means that
in the event of fire, less extinguishing agent must
be introduced, which in turn makes it possible to
implement shorter flooding periods. In addition,
the pressure relief valve can be made significantly
smaller, in most cases.

Furthermore, the comparatively small quantity

required for use is stored in liquid form. This
allows for extremely compact storage of the
extinguishing agent. In addition, in the design
concentration of HFC-227ea does not present
any health hazard, which is why MX 200 instal-
HFC-227ea molecule lations are also suitable for areas with high
human activity.

Furthermore, - unlike the case of water, foam
or powder - secondary damage caused by the
extinguishing agent itself is practically impossible.
In 1992 HFC-227ea replaced halon, which had
been banned in the meantime, and since then
has been used in hundreds of thousands of fire
extinguishing systems. It is better known under
its trade names, for example FM-200 ® from
DuPontTM.
n 50 bar ...for more options

MX 200 systems are also available – in addition to the operating pressures of conventional
HFC-227ea fire extinguishing systems of 25 bar and 42 bar – in a 50 bar configuration, which
offers some significant advantages. For example, it can be adapted individually and tailored
specifically to the requirements of the protected area.

Longer pipelines Multi-zone systems

The regulations for fire extinguishing systems
using HFC-227ea require that the protected area
be flooded within a maximum of 10 seconds. The
50-bar technology makes it possible to use longer
and more complex piping than systems using
lower operating pressures. This means that the
extinguishing agent can also be stored outside
the protected area.
This option has the following advantages:
 In the event of fire, the extinguishing system
itself is not exposed to fire.
 The space in the protected area can be used
for its actual purpose, e.g. for additional
server cabinets in the server room.
 The stock of extinguishing agent can be
serviced quickly and easily without having
to enter sensitive areas.
With 50-bar technology, it is possible to set up
one multi-zone system instead of several single-
zone systems. Multi-zone systems jointly use a
single stock of extinguishing agent for all rooms,
while in the case of single-zone systems, a separate
storage facility must be provided for each room.
This reduces costs and saves space, especially if
several rooms of a similar dimension have to be
protected in a building.
Conventional MX 200
single-zone systems multi-zone technology

Conventional extinguishing MX 200 fire extinguishing

system with 25 bar system with 50 bar
structure an Single-zone system

MX 200 fire extinguishing systems can be designed for use as a single-zone system to protect
a single protected area or in the form of a multi-zone system to protect two or more areas.

Single-zone systems pneumatically. At the same time the fire detection

A pipework system installed with MX 200
extinguishing nozzles is installed in the protected
space, while the dimension of the pipework, as
along with the number and layout of the extin-
guishing nozzles, is determined by the risk
concerned and the specific local conditions. The
extinguishing agent is stored in liquid form in
special cylinders, where a nitrogen cushion is
superimposed over the extinguishing agent and
thus generates the operating pressure of 42 or
50 bar.
and extinguishing control panel triggers an audible
and visual alarm, whereby persons present will
be asked to leave the room.
At the same time, it transmits a signal to a
permanently manned station. After expiry of a
predetermined warning time, the extinguishing
process starts: The extinguishing agent is carried
through the pipework into the extinguishing
zone within 10 seconds.

To protect smaller rooms, a single cylinder is

often sufficient. Multi-cylinder systems are
used to protect larger rooms.
nitrogen cushion

Smoke detectors continuously monitor the extin-

guishing zone and send a signal to the fire detec-
tion and extinguishing control panel in the event
HFC-227ea
of a fire. In the case of single-cylinder systems,
the control panel then opens the electrical valve
of the extinguishing agent cylinder to release
the agent into the pipework. In the case of multi-
dip tube
cylinder systems, the first cylinder is electrically
activated and through the nitrogen cushion in
this first cylinder, the other cylinders are triggered

➊ MX 200 extinguishing ➌ Electric horn

agent cylinder
➋ Fire detection and
extinguishing control panel
➍ Flash
➎ Fire detector
➏ MX 200 extinguishing nozzle
➐ Pressure relief flap
nd function Multi-zone system

Multi-zone systems
Multi-zone systems are very similar to single-zone
systems, except that they use a common stock of
extinguishing agent to protect all rooms. In the
event of a fire, the fire detection and extinguishing
control panel controls specific selector valves. These
valves release the extinguishing agent only into the
extinguishing zones affected by the fire.
The required quantity of extinguishing agent
is always calculated in relation to the largest
protected space. If a smaller space is affected
by the fire, only as much extinguishing agent as
is required is released to extinguish the fire in
this space. Due to the reserve of extinguishing
agent, the fire extinguishing capacity of the
system is guaranteed even after the extinguishing
system has been triggered – providing continuous,
uninterrupted operation.
Fire detection and extinguishing
control panel:
The control and function monitoring capacity
of MX 200 fire extinguishing systems should
be provided ideally by the tried and tested
Minimax FMZ 5000 fire alarm and extin-
guishing control technology. This ensures
optimal compatibility - supported by relevant
certifications - of electrical and mechanical
system components and avoids unnecessary
coordination expense and interface problems
between different system parts.

D
A

A Extinguishing zone 1
B Extinguishing zone 2
C Extinguishing zone 3
D Extinguishing zone 4

➊ MX 200 extinguishing ➎ Electric horn

agent cylinder
➏ Flash
➋ Pneumatic control device ➐ Fire detector
➌ Fire detection and ➑ MX 200 extinguishing nozzle
extinguishing control panel
➒ Pressure relief flap
➍ Selector valve
optimal Design – with the Minimax DesignManager

In the pipework, a two-phase flow - composed of liquid HFC-227ea and gaseous nitrogen - is
generated after activation of the extinguishing system; this presents a particular challenge for
the hydraulic calculation when planning the system.

MX 200 fire extinguishing systems are designed
for specific projects with the Minimax Design
Manager. This design program is based on a
specially developed simulation model for the
two-phase flow, which has been verified in
numerous flow tests on extinguishing system
models.
Thanks to the calculation accuracy of the
Minimax DesignManager, extinguishing systems
can be optimally designed - both as regards
safety systems and from an economic perspective:
The designed extinguishing systems have been
proven to be dependable and effective. Unlike
conventional design programs, the Minimax
DesignManager is also able to calculate complex
and asymmetric pipework, thus offering more
flexibility in the system design.
Whether a 50- or 25-bar system, with either
symmetric or asymmetric pipework – Minimax
DesignManager will always find the ideal system
version and solution for each project. To further
ensure safety in the design of the system, the
guided menu of the Minimax DesignManager
is designed so as to perform an error and
plausibility check even while the basic data
are entered into the system.
Another highlight:
An interface to the AutoCAD software integrated
into the Minimax DesignManager offers a conve-
nient design of the installation and makes it possi-
ble to import the result into the project documents
and system records afterwards.

Conventional extinguishing MX 200 fire extinguishing

system with symmetric pipework system with asymmetric pipework
APPLICATIONS
A class on its own

MX 200 fire extinguishing systems are particularly

suitable for the protection of spaces with electrical
and electronic facilities, even if people are present
in the premises.

All system variants and options of MX 200 fire

extinguishing systems are tested and certified by
the VdS Schadenverhütung (independent German
testing institution for fire protection and securi-
ty). Beyond this there are listings from UL and
there are approvals from FM Global as well as
from other international certification bodies.

Examples of use
 Server rooms and other IT facilities
 Data archives
 Telecommunications equipment
 Control rooms and control stations
 Instrumentation and control rooms
 Electrical switch rooms
 Switchgear and distribution cabinets

In Europe the use of the extinguishing agent

HFC-227ea (GWP 3220) used in the MX 200
fire extinguishing systems is regulated by the
Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014 on fluorinated
greenhouse gases.
benefits at a glance

There are many reasons for choosing a MX 200 fire extinguishing system by Minimax:

 The systems provide an excellent extinguishing

MX 200 50-bar technology – makes it
effect in rooms with electronic and electrical possible to use long pipework
equipment.

 The HFC-227ea extinguishing agent is neither

corrosive nor electrically conductive, leaves no
residue and can easily be removed from the
space in question through ventilation.

 The HFC-227ea extinguishing agent is also

very suitable for zones that are frequented
by people and has no ozone depletion MX 200 multi-zone technology
potential. – saves space and extinguishing agent

 Operating pressures up to 50 bar allow for

more extensive pipework and storage of the
extinguishing agent outside the protected area.

 Through cost-effective multi-zone systems, a

single stock of extinguishing agent is sufficient
to cover several zones.
Minimax DesignManager
 The Minimax DesignManager calculates – calculates the optimal solution
complex, asymmetrical pipework automatically
and delivers optimal solutions - both from a
safety-related and an economic perspective.

Minimax GmbH &  Co. KG

Industriestrasse 10/12
D-23840 Bad Oldesloe
Phone: +49 45 31 8 03-0
PB12Ce_03/05.15/0/05.15

Fax: +49 45 31 8 03-248

E-Mail: clean-agents@minimax.de
Printed in Germany

www.minimax.de

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